2026 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers (Japan Award). – Opportunities For Africans

Application Deadline: May 15 (Fri.), 2026 (JST)

Applications are actually open for the 2026 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers. The Japan Award is the prize aiming to extend motivation amongst younger researchers contributing to analysis and improvement in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and associated industries in growing areas, by awarding younger international researchers having proven excellent efficiency or produced analysis achievements which will result in future innovation. The Award was launched in 2007, and 2026 marks its twentieth presentation.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates should be researchers who’ve the nationality of a growing nation and/or territory, are beneath 40 years outdated as of January 01, 2026, belong to a non-Japanese analysis institute or a non-Japanese college, are engaged in analysis and improvement in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and associated industries in growing areas, and fall beneath any of the next standards (Note: Those who’ve utilized for and missed the award in earlier years are eligible to re-apply).

1. Those who’ve proven excellent efficiency in analysis and improvement in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or associated industries for a growing area, and who present nice promise.
2. Those who’ve proven excellent achievements in analysis and improvement that can result in future technological innovation in agriculture, forestry, fisheries or associated industries for a growing area, and who present nice promise. 

The candidates, in precept, should be capable to attend the awarding ceremony will likely be held in Japan and ship a lecture.

Award

• Up to 3 awardees will likely be chosen from candidates after a variety course of by the choice committee.
• Each awardee will likely be invited to Japan and awarded a testimonial by the Chairman of the AFFRC in the course of the awarding ceremony. They may also obtain a money prize of US$5,000 every from JIRCAS (MOTAI-JIRCAS Award*).

*This award is working by the donation from Mr. Shigeru MOTAI, a former Chairman of the AFFRC of MAFF and supported by the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS).

Application Procedure:

Due date for submission of application:  May 15 (Fri.), 2026 (JST)

※ Applications should be submitted by the recommending analysis institutes (both analysis institutes universities,
Japanese or non-Japanese). 
  Only one researcher could be really helpful from every institute, together with its branches. 

• Determination of award winners:    August or September 2026 (tentative)
• Date of Awarding Ceremony:     October or November 2026 (tentative)

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers